Android Flashing Guide

Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Introduction

In this document we will cover how to flash zip related to ROM/kernel using both Recovery and OEM Tools.
Assuming you have already downloaded your required file, let’s proceed.

Recovery

ROM Flashing

1. Copy the ZIP to your phone
2. Power off your phone.
3. Boot into recovery.
   • Note: must be a custom recovery like CWM (Clockwork Mod recovery) or TeamWin recovery
4. Wipe data/factory reset (If your ROM is no-wipe, then no need. But it is recommended)
   • Note: Factory reset will clear/wipe all your user data
5. Wipe cache.
6. Choose Install Zip from sd card.
7. Browse to the ZIP you put in your phone.
8. Wait while it installs.
9. Install Gapps if needed.
10. Reboot.

Congratulations, you have flashed your first zip

Kernel Flashing

1. Copy the kernel ZIP to your phone.
2. Power off your phone.
3. Boot into recovery.
4. Wipe cache.
5. Wipe Dalvik cache.
6. Choose Install Zip from sd card.
7. Browse to the ZIP you copied.
8. Wait while it installs.
9. Reboot.

Congratulations, you have flashed a kernel

OEM Tools

Motorola RSD Lite

1. Download RSD Lite : ( http://goo.gl/JXJQa )
2. Download SBF files for your device from here: ( http://goo.gl/CdZKm )
3. Reduce number of letters in archive name to 5
4. Go to bootmenu on your device
5. Connect device
6. Make sure you have installed required device drivers
7. Launch RSD Lite
8. Click on 3 dot icon
9. Choose Uncompress And Start Flashing
10. Wait for the process to finish
11. All done. SBF successfully flashed.

Troubleshooting

If you experience: “ Please manually power up this phone! “ do as following:

1. Leave device connected for 5 minutes with PC and RSD Lite running at current condition
2. If nothing happens..unplug your device
3. Go to stock recovery
4. Wipe data/factory reset
5. Wipe cache
6. Reboot
7. 
   

Samsung ODIN

If you would like to flash ROMs in the .tar format on your Samsung phone, you have to do it with Samsung’s own leaked factory software called “ODIN”. You can also make use of the open source Heimdall application, which works similarly, and is available on Mac and Linux as well.

1. Samsung Kies should be installed for the drivers to get installed, if you don’t have Kies, don’t worry. Get the drivers from (SamFirmware Link). Go to the page, select your device, and select “Download” next to “Drivers”.
2. Download Odin : (Dev Host Link)
3. Download Samsung ROM file for your device. Official ones can be found here : (SamFirmware Link)
4. Power off your device.
5. Now while pressing volume down and home button simultaneously, keep the power button pressed
6. This will bring you to the download mode custom binary warning screen
7. Press volume up to confirm
8. Phone will enter download mode. Connect to the computer.
9. Drivers will be installed.
10. Fire up Odin.
11. Odin should show a blue text such as “0:[COM3]” written in the ID:COM box. [Note: The COM port will vary from system to system, so do not assume it to be always 3]
12. Select the ROM you downloaded. (If its a single file, it should generally be PDA). Confirm that the files are selected in their respective boxes.
13. Make sure “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” is checked and that “Phone EFS Clear” and/or “Flash Lock” is NOT checked.
14. Take a deep breath and click “Start”.
15. After the flashing process is complete there will be a green “PASS” displayed and the phone will reboot.
16. Done! ROM succesfully flashed!

Troubleshooting

If you experience a bootloop (phone constantly reboots and reboots on the boot screen) or a soft brick (powering on the phone shows an orange triangle with a phone and computer), don’t be afraid. XDA to the rescue!

For a bootloop:

1. Take out the battery.
2. Wait for 3 min.
3. Put the battery in. Do NOT power on the phone.
4. Keep pressing Volume Up + Home simultaneously and press the power button to turn on the device.
5. Once the phone shows the model number screen, leave the buttons.
6. Your phone will boot into recovery.
7. Select “Wipe data/ Factory reset”. (Volume Up for going up and Volume down to go down)
8. After the reset is done, select “Reboot system now”.
9. The phone will reboot and you should be all fine.

For a soft brick:

1. You probably flashed some faulty firmware or firmware not meant for your device.
2. If instead of “PASS” it shows “FAIL”, step 3 is the way out.
3. Download the correct firmware and flash again.